Books teach what it's like to be left out

News-Times, The (Danbury, CT)

Published
8:00 pm EDT, Saturday, August 16, 2008

No one likes to be left out. If you've ever had that experience, you know how much it hurts. Take a look at the books reviewed today. Each can be instrumental in furthering a child's sensitivity to the needs of another and can also act as a catalyst for conversation between adult and child on this important topic.

Molly is in third grade. A recent immigrant to America, her clothes and imperfect English are the cause of great laughter and cruelty among Molly's classmates. Molly feels she and her family will never fit in, and it would be better if they would all return to their homeland.

When Molly's teacher assigns a Thanksgiving project, Molly's mother wants to help. It is through this project that Molly's teacher helps all the students understand what being American really means.

Based on a true story, "Molly's Pilgrim" is a moving account of how painful it can be when you are different from others. It also speaks strongly of how America has been built by pilgrims of many colors, from many lands, and of many beliefs. Well written and illustrated, this choice will evoke a greater sense of tolerance and understanding that our strength as a nation comes from our diversity.

Miss Cluck tells her students there will be a new animal in the class. All the other animals squealed with delight, especially when Miss Cluck said the new animal was a bear.

Maybe the bear will be a fluffy pink bear, like the one on Leticia's lunch box. Maybe the bear will wear Wellingtons and a blue coat, like the little bear in the picture book. But when Boris the bear came through the classroom door, the animals all screamed, for Boris wasn't a teddy bear -- he was an enormous, hairy, scary grizzly bear! Will Boris ever be able to fit in?

Charming and peppered with humor, "The New Bear at School" provides a gentle lesson on accepting differences and making room for a new friend.

Through spare text and gentle illustrations, this lovely selection takes a heartfelt look at what it's like to be left out and alone. From a small dog who experiences the loneliness of being excluded to a boy who knows the same, the author's words are powerful and true: "When someone's feeling left out, low, it doesn't takes much to say"�Hello!"